Breast cancer overview:
Breast cancer is the most common
type of cancer among women in the United States. It is estimated that one in
eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. While it can occur in
men, it is much more common in women. Early detection and treatment is a key to
surviving breast cancer, so it’s important to understand the risk factors,
symptoms, and treatments available.
What Causes Breast Cancer?
The exact cause of breast cancer is
unknown, but there are certain risk factors that increase a person’s chance of
developing the disease. These include:
• Age – The risk of
developing breast cancer increases with age. Most cases occur in women over the
age of 50.
• Family history – Having a
first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) with breast cancer doubles
your risk of developing the disease.
• Genetics – Certain gene
mutations can increase a person’s risk for developing breast cancer. The two
most common mutations are BRCA1 and BRCA2.
• Reproductive history –
Women who have never had children or had their first child after age 30 have an
increased risk for developing breast cancer. Women who have gone through
menopause after age 55 also have an increased risk for the disease.
• Hormone therapy – Taking
estrogen-only hormone therapy after menopause increases a woman’s risk for
developing breast cancer.
• Alcohol consumption –
Drinking alcohol increases a woman’s risk for developing breast cancer,
especially if she drinks more than three alcoholic beverages per day.
What Are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
The most common symptom of breast
cancer is a lump or mass in the breast tissue that feels different from
surrounding tissue. Other symptoms may include:
• Changes in size or shape of the
breasts;
• Nipple discharge;
• Swelling or redness around the
breasts;
• Pain or tenderness in one area of
the breasts;
• Skin dimpling or puckering;
• Nipple retraction (turning
inward).
If you experience any of these
symptoms, it is important to see your doctor right away so they can determine
if further testing is necessary.
What are types of Breast Cancer?
As we mention above breast cancer is
one of the most common forms of cancer in women, and it can be divided into
several different types. Knowing the type of breast cancer you have is
important for determining the best treatment options. Here, we discuss the
different types of breast cancer and their associated treatments.
·
The
most common type of breast
cancer is ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
This type of cancer begins in the milk ducts and has not spread to other parts of
the body. DCIS is usually treated with surgery, such as a lumpectomy or
mastectomy, followed by radiation therapy.
·
Invasive
ductal carcinoma (IDC) is another
common type of breast cancer. This type begins in the milk ducts and can spread
to other parts of the body. Treatment for IDC typically involves surgery,
chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and/or radiation therapy.
·
Invasive
lobular carcinoma (ILC) is a less
common form of breast cancer that begins in the milk-producing glands
(lobules). Treatment for ILC usually involves surgery, chemotherapy, hormone
therapy, and/or radiation therapy.
·
Inflammatory
breast cancer (IBC) is an
aggressive form of breast cancer that affects about 1-3% of all women with
breast cancer. IBC causes redness and swelling in the affected area due to
blockage in the lymph vessels by tumor cells. Treatment for IBC typically
involves chemotherapy followed by surgery and/or radiation therapy.
·
Another
rare form of breast cancer is Paget’s
disease of the nipple (PDN). This type affects
only 1-4% of all women with breast cancer and causes redness, itching, burning
sensations on or around the nipple area. Treatment for PDN usually involves
surgery followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy depending on how advanced
it is.
Finally, there are several other
rare types of breast cancers such as medullary carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma,
tubular carcinoma, metaplastic carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma,
angiosarcoma and phyllodes tumor that require specialized treatments depending
on their severity and stage at diagnosis.
No matter what type you have been
diagnosed with it’s important to talk to your doctor about your treatment
options so you can make an informed decision about your care plan. With early
detection and proper treatment many women are able to beat this disease and
live long healthy lives!
How Is Breast Cancer Diagnosed?
If your doctor suspects you may have
breast cancer, they will likely order one or more tests to confirm their
diagnosis including:
• Mammogram – This imaging test uses
X-rays to look for abnormalities in your breasts such as lumps or masses that
could be signs of cancerous cells;
• Ultrasound – This imaging test
uses sound waves to create images of your breasts which can help detect
abnormalities such as lumps;
• Biopsy – During this procedure, a
small sample of tissue from your breasts will be removed and examined under a
microscope to look for signs of abnormal cells which could indicate cancerous
cells.
How Is Breast Cancer Treated?
The treatment plan for each person
with breast cancer will depend on several factors including stage and type of
tumor as well as overall health and personal preferences. Common treatments
include surgery (such as lumpectomy or mastectomy), radiation therapy,
chemotherapy and hormone therapy (such as tamoxifen). In some cases, doctors
may recommend a combination approach using two or more treatments at once to
maximize effectiveness and reduce side effects associated with each individual
treatment option. It is important to discuss all available options with your
doctor before making any decisions about treatment plans so you can make an
informed decision about what is best for you and your health needs.
Breast Cancer Awareness: How to Spot the Signs and Symptoms
Breast cancer is one of the most
common types of cancer in women, and it’s important to be aware of the signs
and symptoms. Early detection is key to successful treatment, so it’s important
to know what to look for. Here are some tips on how to spot the signs and
symptoms of breast cancer.
First, it’s important to be familiar
with your own body. Regularly check your breasts for any changes in size,
shape, or texture. If you notice any lumps or bumps that weren’t there before,
make an appointment with your doctor right away.
It’s also important to pay attention
to any changes in your nipples. Look for any discharge or changes in color or
texture. If you notice anything unusual, make sure you get it checked out by a
doctor as soon as possible.
Another symptom of breast cancer is
a change in skin texture on the breast or around the nipple area. This can
include redness, dimpling, puckering, or scaling of the skin. If you notice any
of these changes, make sure you get them checked out by a doctor right away.
Finally, keep an eye out for any
swelling in your armpit area that doesn’t go away after a few days. This could
be a sign of lymph node involvement and should be checked out by a doctor
immediately if noticed.
By being aware of these signs and
symptoms of breast cancer, you can help ensure early detection and successful
treatment if needed. Make sure you talk to your doctor about any concerns that
you have regarding breast health so that they can provide further guidance on
how best to monitor yourself for potential signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
Conclusion
Breast cancer affects millions of
people around the world each year, but early detection and treatment can
greatly improve chances for survival and remission from this serious disease.
If you experience any symptoms associated with breast cancer such as lumps or
changes in size/shape/texture/color/nipple discharge/etc., it is important to
see your doctor right away so they can determine if further testing is
necessary and provide appropriate treatment options if needed.